Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a pivotal tool for optimizing healthcare systems by evaluating the costs, benefits, and overall value of new health technologies. As many countries in the Middle East strive to improve their healthcare systems, HTA provides a structured approach to ensure effective allocation of resources. This article explores the HTA roadmaps proposed for Oman, UAE, Egypt, and Algeria, emphasizing the unique strategies and considerations for each country based on the findings from the provided documents.
Oman and the UAE both seek to improve their healthcare systems, but their approaches highlight their distinct healthcare structures and priorities. Oman aims to achieve the ambitious healthcare goals set out in its 2040 vision, focusing on maintaining sustainability amidst rising healthcare costs and rapid technological advancements. The country spends approximately 5.3% of its GDP on healthcare, a figure expected to rise with the progression of the 2040 vision. To address these challenges, Oman’s HTA roadmap emphasizes building capacity through training programs and integrating HTA education into healthcare curriculums.
In contrast, the UAE’s decentralized healthcare system involves services provided by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, individual Emirate health systems, and private insurers. The establishment of an HTA unit by the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi marked a significant step towards evidence-informed decision-making. However, the UAE’s HTA implementation remains limited and needs to cover a broader range of health technologies, particularly pharmaceuticals. The UAE’s roadmap involves a policy survey using an HTA scorecard to assess the current and preferred HTA environment, emphasizing public and private funding for HTA and the development of local data infrastructures to support decision-making.
Both countries emphasize capacity building but have different focal points in their roadmaps. Oman’s phased approach spans 10 years, beginning with training and education, then expanding to public awareness and the inclusion of medical devices and surgical interventions alongside pharmaceuticals. The long-term strategy aims to cover a broad range of healthcare technologies and ensure transparent publication of HTA recommendations. On the other hand, the UAE’s recommendations include extending the scope of HTA, utilizing explicit decision criteria such as cost-effectiveness and budget impact, and improving the quality and transparency of HTA processes.
Egypt and Algeria also reflect distinct strategies and challenges in their HTA implementation efforts. Egypt’s HTA implementation is still in its early stages despite significant steps towards integrating HTA into the healthcare system. The universal healthcare coverage law published in 2018 and the subsequent law for unified procurement in 2019 laid the groundwork for HTA in Egypt. However, hurdles such as a lack of funding, low-quality data, and insufficient trained professionals persist. The HTA roadmap for Egypt involves a comprehensive survey to evaluate the current status and preferred future of HTA, followed by expert interviews to validate the findings. Building capacity through postgraduate and master’s programs in health economics and establishing HTA units within various healthcare authorities are proposed, with the goal of eventually merging them into a central HTA unit.
Algeria faces unique challenges due to its centralized healthcare system and limited use of local data. The roadmap for HTA in Algeria focuses on capacity building through training programs and workshops, increasing funding for HTA research, and improving the use of local data for policy decisions. The survey conducted in Algeria highlighted the need for more sustainable educational programs and the importance of local HTA evidence generation. Recommendations include establishing postgraduate HTA training programs, introducing submission fees for manufacturers, and developing patient registries and accessible payer databases to support HTA. International collaboration and participation in HTA courses are also emphasized to enhance capacity and avoid duplication of efforts.
Comparing these countries, Oman’s focus is on comprehensive capacity building and a phased implementation over a decade, while the UAE emphasizes decentralization, public-private funding, and data infrastructure development. Egypt’s roadmap prioritizes legislative groundwork and innovative decision-making tools, aiming for a centralized HTA unit eventually. Algeria seeks to overcome centralization issues through education and local data enhancement.
Implementing these HTA strategies will require coordinated efforts from various stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, and academic institutions. Through systematic and evidence-based decision-making, HTA can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery in these countries, ensuring sustainable and effective healthcare systems for their populations.